India to get new air regulatory agency

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Shippers involved in trade out of India might soon be confronted with a new aviation regulatory body.
The Indian government is eyeing the creation of a nine-member Civil Aviation Authority, which would set aviation standards and oversee air safety, regulation and licensing.
The organization will replace the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
According to India’s civil aviation minister, Shri Ajit Singh, the directorate general had recently become too bogged down in work due to lack of manpower. Instead of being able to hire more people, the organization needed a structural change, something that cannot be achieved legally.
The new CAA will have more administrative and financial power, according to a government statement, meaning that it can readily adapt as the aviation sector in India changes. The self-funding entity will also have the power to collect fees for duties and services. Its main function, though, will be to ensure the proper regulation of the industry. It will also be tasked with providing environmental regulations for Indian carriers and airports.
Finally, the new organization will also be able to impose its rules, levying punishments on individuals and carriers that find themselves in violation of the law. - Jon Ross